The threats, and benefits, of artificial intelligence are discussed almost on a daily basis, but now the view of one robot has been revealed from its own mouth. When quizzed by robotics designer David Hanson, an eerie-looking humanoid called Sophia revealed'she would like to go to school, have a family...and destroy humans.' The comments were made as Hanson questioned her about her aspirations and beliefs - and he claims robots like Sophia will be walking among us and be as conscious as humans in just 20 years. Ultra-lifelike humanoid Sophia, said in an interview with her creator David Hanson that'she' would like to go to school, have a family…and destroy humans. While the stunt is lighthearted, the answer may scare those who fear a robot uprising, including the likes of Stephen Hawking and Elon Musk, who have both warned artificially intelligent machines could finish off the human race.

After a century of building what it calls the'ultimate driving machine', BMW is preparing for a world in which its customers will be mere passengers, and the cars will do the driving themselves. Days before its 100th birthday, a board member for research and development has described plans for a completely overhauled company. He revealed BMW's plans where half the R&D staff will be computer programmers, competing with the likes of Google parent Alphabet to build the brains for self-driving cars. BMW has said it plans to make half the R&D staff computer programmers, competing with the likes of Google parent Alphabet to build the brains for self-driving cars. 'For me it is a core competence to have the most intelligent car,' Klaus Froehlich told Reuters in an interview at the Geneva auto show.

Engineers are harnessing'swarm robotics' to teach intelligent robots how to cooperate during naval missions. The researchers in Portugal have demonstrated how a small fleet of self-learning robot boats can'think' for themselves, to work together on surveillance and other missions. Each robot is made from materials costing roughly $330, and operates with a neural network to create individual behaviours similar to those in a flock of birds. Engineers are harnessing'swarm robotics' to teach intelligent robots how to cooperate during naval missions. The researchers in Portugal have demonstrated how a small fleet of self-learning robot boats can'think' for themselves, to work together The robotic swarms work like a school of fish, or flock of birds.

The idyllic Isle of Man off the west coast of England is known for many things, from its castles and forts, coastal views and even a world famous motorbike race. But residents of the island could soon see driverless cars winding their way along its country roads under plans to turn it into a self-driving'hub'. The Manx government is currently trying to tempt car and technology companies to the island to road-test their autonomous vehicles. The idyllic Isle of Man off the west coast of England is currently trying to tempt car and technology companies to the island to road-test their autonomous vehicles. Transportation minister Phil Gawne is trying to lure companies with the prospect of a scale trial of the vehicles on working roads.

Microsoft has officially acquired the makers of predictive keyboard mobile app SwiftKey. The London-based start-up behind the app has been brought into the Microsoft fold in a deal worth an estimated $250 million (£174m). Microsoft is believed to have a keen interest in the firm's artificial intelligence research, including its recently launched Neural Alpha app, which could make its Cortana assistant more accurate. The London-based start-up behind the SwiftKey predictive keyboard app (pictured) has been bought by Microsoft in a deal worth $250 million (£174m). The app is available in over 100 languages, including Arabic, Russian, Thai and Afrikaans, and predicts text as it learns from the user's swipes and key strokes SwiftKey was started by Cambridge graduates in 2008, launching its predictive auto-correcting keyboard app on Android in 2010 and iOS in 2014.

A radical new type of'neurochip' that works like the human brain has been revealed by Russian scientists. They have created a neural network using the technology, and say it could lead to radical new types of computer. It could dramatically improve machine vision, hearing, and other sensory organs, and even give robots a mind of their own. A team led by Russian researchers has created a neural network using the'neurochip' technology, and say it could lead to radical new types of computer. A memristor is an electric element similar to a conventional resistor.

The race to create robots that look, act and work like humans could see unemployment soar, welfare costs increase and may eventually bring the global economy to its knees. But it could also lead to the fourth industrial revolution. Experts, including scientists, economists and billionaire businessmen, believe robots will be doing more than 5 million typically human-based jobs within the next five years. And if this prediction comes true, inflation will continue to be slow as wages for the remaining human workforce plummet. Experts, including scientists, economists and billionaire businessmen, believe robots will be doing more than 5 million typically human-based jobs within the next five years.

If Hollywood ever had a lesson for scientists it is what happens if machines start to rebel against their human creators. Yet despite this, roboticists have started to teach their own creations to say no to human orders. They have programmed a pair of diminutive humanoid robots called Shafer and Dempster to disobey instructions from humans if it puts their own safety at risk. Robotics engineers are developing robots that can disobey instructions from humans if they believe it may cause them to become damaged. If asked to walk forward on a table top (pictured) the robot replies that it can't do this as it is'unsafe'.

For travellers in a hurry, navigating their way through the terminals at a busy airport can be a stressful experience. At one European airport, however, there will soon be help for those racing to reach their flight in time from a friendly robot called Spencer. Designed with a calm, 'unstirring' face, the robot will trundle around Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam to guide passengers from one gate to another. Spencer the robot (pictured) is due to be tested in Schiphol airport to help guide passengers to the correct gate. Spencer, which stands for'Social situation-aware perception and action for cognitive robots', will build up detailed maps of the airport to help it find its way while avoiding walls and other obstacles.

At first glance it seems like any other city, with five lane roads, intersections, buildings and even pedestrians waving as you pass. However, M City, in Ann Arbor, is devoid of one thing - people. Ford has become the first major car maker test autonomous vehicles at Mcity – the full-scale simulated real-world urban environment at the University of Michigan. At first glance it seems like any other city, with five lane roads, intersections, buildings and even pedestrians waving as you pass. However, M City, in Ann Arbor, is devoid of one thing - people.